1. Corinne Hermant-de Callataÿ
Survey on perceptions of quality of life in 75 European Cities Short overview of results
Corinne Hermant-de Callataÿ
Perception Survey III – Report published in June 2010
Final report available in five languages at: ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/themes/urban/audit/index_en.htm

2. 500 phone interviews per city
The Perception Survey
A snapshot of public opinion in European cities derived from the “eurobarometer flash” toolkit (DG COMM) done by phone in November 2006 and in November 2009
500 phone interviews per city
A first survey had been conducted in 2004 on 31 cities (300 phone interviews)

3. EU comparison and other cross-comparisons
Strengths
EU comparison and other cross-comparisons
Reliability demonstrated by answer stability
A complementary management tool
Weaknesses
Assumptions formulated in different languages / “Cultural comparability” issues
Opportunity
Further analysis to be developed, based on the current survey and on other data
Threats
Risk of some cities having negative image
As well as using the hard data supplied by statistical institutes throughout the EU, the Commission also decided to carry out a perception survey to see what European citizens think about their cities.
Perceptions can be extremely important – some political leaders choose to base their policies on perceptions rather than statistics! (Mayor of Manchester example)
How citizens feel is important to politicians
The perception survey had been carried out in 31 cities in the EU15 in This time it has been extended to the new Member States and to Turkey and Croatia
Data was collected through telephone interviews – 500 people in each city.

4. Surveyed cities All capital cities have been surveyed
First the Capital
Second another important city
Third a city a some distance from the other cities and preferably quite a bit smaller
Fourth city, the same
In short geographic balance, balance in size and covering at least the capital (and the second city).

5. + Agreement/disagreement on a series of statements
Satisfaction with:
Public transport, Health care services offered by doctors and hospitals,Sports facilities, Cultural facilities in [CITY NAME]
The beauty of streets and buildings in your neighborhood
Public spaces in [CITY NAME] such as markets, squares, pedestrian areas
Green spaces such as parks and gardens inside
Outdoor recreation outside / around [CITY NAME], such as walking, cycling or picnicking
+ Agreement/disagreement on a series of statements
[NEW statements indicated in bold]

6. A new module on transport
Q4C: How often do you use public transport in [CITY NAME]?
Q4B: Which means of transport do you mostly/ primarily use to go to your working/training place?
Q4A: How many minutes per day do you usually spend to go to your working/training place? 8 possible answers (Max = more than 60 minutes)
Q4D:Why don't you use public transport? 8 answers (base: the ones who never use pub. transp.)
In addition to the question already raised on “satisfaction” / comparison with 2006

7. It is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price

8. It is easy to find a good job – ranked from most negative to least negative (% strongly diagree)

9. Poverty is a problem

10. The presence of foreigners is good for the city

11. Generally speaking, most people in the city can be trusted

12. Respondents feel safe in the city
Q3. For each of the following statements, please tell me, if this always, sometimes, rarely or never happens to you?
Base: all respondents, % by city

13. A new question on “the three most important issues for your city”
[READ OUT – ROTATE]
Urban safety
Air pollution
Noise
- Public transport
- “Availability/quality of Health services”
- Social services
“Educational facilities”
“Jobs creation / reduce unemployment”
- Housing conditions
Road infrastructure
The ones which come first as the “most important” for people are indicated above in bold.

14. Air pollution/ Also a main issue facing city dwellers

15. Air pollution is a major problem (red+orange)

16. Noise is a major problem (red + orange)

17. The city is committed to fight against climate change, e.g. (…)

18. The city is a healthy place to live

19. Administrative services help efficiently

20. The city spends its resources in a responsible way

21. Satisf. with public spaces (e.g. markets or pedestrian areas)

22. Satisf. / Beauty of streets and building in their neighbourhood

23. Frequency of using public transport23

24. Means of transport mostly used to go to work or training place24